The Board

In 2011 Living Smart became a not for profit organisation, adopted a Constitution (Latest version: Be Living Smart Inc Constitution 29 Oct 2015) and is now governed by a board. Board members serve a two year term and elections are held at the annual general meeting each year. The Board is working on operationalising its Strategic Plan.

On December 4th, 2018, Living Smart is holding its AGM and a new board will be elected. If you wish to contact the board, please do so via to coordinator@livingsmart.org.au.

2017-18 Board Members

Grant Gernhoefer [CHAIRPERSON]

Grant joined the Board in October 2014 and completed a Living Smart course in December 2014. Grant has 20 years’ professional, senior executive and board experience; including senior management roles with a top-10 ASX listed company and eight years as chief executive officer of a top-200 ASX listed entity. Grant has been involved in promoting sustainability initiatives and improved sustainability reporting within his corporate roles and Living Smart provides the opportunity to promote sustainability within the broader community.

Colin Campbell [DEPUTY CHAIR]

Colin has a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics and a Masters Degree in Natural Resource Management. He worked as a Natural Resource Economist in both the public and private sectors for about 15 years before joining the WA Office of the Auditor General in 2002. There he worked as a performance auditor examining the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs and projects. In 2006, Colin completed a year long international work exchange with the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainable Development within the Canadian Office of the Auditor General in Ottawa. He was appointed as Assistant Auditor General in 2008. Colin left the Auditor General’s Office in 2014 to take up private consultancy in business management. Colin joined the Board of Living Smart in February 2015.

Bruce Hegge [TREASURER]

Dr Hegge discovered the Living Smart course through a Living Smart Union course and joined the Board in 2015. He is a highly experienced environmental scientist who co-founded BMT Oceanica Pty Ltd in 2002 and was their Executive Director up to Dec 2015. Oceanica is now the largest marine environmental consultancy in Western Australia and is widely recognised for its strong commitment to integrity and quality. He has a PhD in Geography, a keen interest in the application of systems thinking and strong skills in project management, data analysis, report writing and communication. Bruce also holds a range of non-executive and advisory roles which gives him a deep understanding of: strategy, governance, organisational culture, contract management, business finance, marketing, business development, human resource management and information technology. He has a demonstrated commitment to continuing professional development and the application of innovative methods to enhance business outcomes.

Miles Dracup [SECRETARY]

Miles completed a Living Smart Course in 2014 and joined the Board in October 2014. Miles recently established Environmental Agriculture Water Consulting, a Perth-based consultancy practice, focusing on development and assessment of business’s environment and water management practices. He has over 25 years’ experience in the agricultural and water sectors, working across business, government and not-for profit sectors, and has bachelor degrees in Botany, Agricultural Science and Environmental Impact Assessment and a PhD in Plant Physiology. Miles has participated on a number of Boards / Management Committees spanning sustainable and bicycle transport, triathlon and hydrology research, several of which have included executive roles. Away from work, his interests focus on sustainable living, active lifestyle, nature, his two children and partner.

Natalie Scott [FACILITATORS’ REPRESENTATIVE]

Natalie lives in Mandurah and is an ex-teacher and qualified Home Sustainability Assessor, with over 12 years hand-on experience in the sustainability field. She has worked for a variety of different programs, councils and organisations through her own business Ecostar Consulting. As a GreenSmart Professional and experienced draftsperson, Natalie is passionate about passive solar design and creating homes that are liveable, sustainable and economic to run! After discovering Living Smart in 2009, Natalie soon trained as a Living Smart Facilitator. To date she has run six Living Smart courses and conducted close to 200 home visits through the Mandurah Living Smart Households project. Natalie joined the Board in 2018, commited to making Living Smart a ‘household word’ and become Australia’s leading community-based sustainability program for engaged behaviour change.

Annabelle McGuiness [CITY OF FREMANTLE’S REPRESENTATIVE]

Annabelle is City of Fremantle’s Senior Project Officer in Sustainability and was co-opted to the Board in October 2018.

GENERAL BOARD MEMBERS

Hugh Kneebone

Hugh Kneebone is Manager NRM Education and Urban Sustainability at Natural Resources Adelaide & Mt Lofty Ranges, which is delivering and developing Living Smart in their NRM region under a 3-year MOU with Be Living Smart.

Miranda Dodd

Miranda brings a broad range of skills and experience in business management and systems from running a business of her own. Miranda has completed a Living Smart course and facilitator training and then joined the Board as a general member in March 2018.

Michele Howard

Michele completed a Living Smart course in November 2013 and Facilitator training in December 2013, she joined the Board in October 2014 and is a passionate advocate for the Living Smart program. For the past 15 years she has been on a journey of changing her behaviour in her home and daily life, making substantial changes to the way she lives her life in terms of consumption, electricity, water and waste, as well as growing her own fruit and vegetables.

Professionally Michele has over 30 years experience in the private and public sectors, with diverse experience in change management, strategic workforce planning, public sector governance, public sector boards and committees, policy, recruitment, knowledge delivery platforms and corporate services. She specialises in implementing business and workforce planning strategies and governance in both the public and private sectors.

LIVING SMART COORDINATOR – Board advisor

Dr. Stephanie Jennings

Stephanie is a past board member and has been involved with Living Smart since its inception in 2003. She has taken on the role of co-ordinator and attends the Board meetings in an advisory capacity. Stephanie is a scientist with a doctorate in renewable energy and efficiency. She brings a wealth of in-depth knowledge of Living Smart from being involved in the Pilot project, member of the steering committee, course facilitator and through her behavioral change work developing the Living Smart course, water, waste and energy behavioural programs at Southern Metropolitan Regional Council and The Living Smart Households program run through the Department of Transport. Stephanie’s vision is to see Living Smart thrive as a not for profit organisation in a multitude of environments, delivering sustained and infectious behaviour change.